My Sister's House and a Recent Graduation

This is a week or so late, but I wanted to share with you some photos of my sister's kitchen. She had been wanting to lighten it up for a little while. She wanted something with a gold tint to it, but in these photos the walls look mostly beige. You know how paint is, it changes with the daylight. She found a great black floral print in Waverly and let that be her starting point.

A baker's rack is her focal point for decor,

and she has some fun things for every season.

This cute little wire rack is above an antique buffet that my mom had while we were growing up. It sat behind her long jaquard sofa and seperated the Living Room from the Dining Room. I'm not sure why I didn't get a shot of it. It has Queen Anne legs and is very sweet, not to mention functional. It's black now, but has been several colors over the years.

In this picture you can see the touch of gold in the paint color.

Becky has this wonderful bombe chest in her entry that I love.

Since this is a "family" post I wanted to share pictures from my nephew Nathan's recent High School graduation. You met his younger brother, Spencer, at Spring Creek Tea Room for lunch a while back. Nate is a talented young photographer, (Hmm...lessons??) who was co-editor and Art Director of his school newspaper and Art Director of his yearbook,

both of which received national honors. Not only is he talented, and handsome,

but he's also super-smart.

He won the Presidential Scholarship for Drury University, here in Springfield.

His girlfriend, Sarah, will be attending Kansas City Art Institute,

so I imagine momma will have to agree to some road trips.

Here we all are at "Millie's", which is a great little downtown place,

celebrating after Nate's graduation.
Becky's husband Tom is setting behind my mom, Sarah and her mom,

our family friend Retta, My hubby and I, and Chris and Alyson.

My proud sister and her boy!

Becky's husband Tom was there, but he was taking pictures

and didn't make it for any of the outside shots.

For holidays we beg Tom to make his mean smoked tri-tips roast, and awesome

"Faux-garitas", virgin margaritas. yum.


Thanks for letting me share a few shots of my family life...and brag just a little.

Sure do love 'em!
Debra

The Daily Affirmation

Or, My Thoughts on One Month of Blogging

I imagine anyone who has a blog has had the thought that what we post about might be considered "ego-centric" to some; that we want to show our latest finds and newest projects, our decor, shops, junk, kids, grandkids, gardens, flowers, etc. Blogs are intended to be about expressing oneself, and enjoying the company of likeminded people, an interchange of ideas and information. I never get tired of seeing other people's "take" on something, or how they put a room or display together. I love seeing how other people live and their various environments. I love leaving, and receiving comments, even if it is a sentence.

I love the "community" of blogging; the friends I've made, the ideas, the inspiration...all of YOU.


So that whole concept of affirmation and gratification from blogging, brought to mind the SNL character Stuart Smalley, and his "show", Daily Affirmations.


I guess we just get a little dose of daily affirmation from our blog friends. I know I do. I've found that when we post about our latest find, new project, or show photos of our favorite things, it's our own way of reaching out to others, and to say that we have something wonderful in common. Our lives and hearts meet for this time and we share a bond.

I have met some incredibly talented, gifted, funny, loving people in this last month, and I wouldn't have missed it for anything!

So repeat after me. "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!" And that's ...okay.

(see where it got Al Franken)

Have a day filled with love and affirmation.

And a P.S. from yesterday's post on "White Wednesday". It has been brought to my attention that at first glance the lithograph of the kittens in the basket appeared to be a tattoo, on some... er... ah... questionable part of my anatomy. To that, I rolled in the floor with fits of laughter!!!

LOVE you guys!

Debra

White Wednesday,White Books and Pages

This is a favorite of mine, look closely in the basket.

I wanted to do a little something different today, for White Wednesday.

I hope no one minds that I'm stretching the boundaries a little.

I love the printed page. There is nothing boring to me about a white page with typeset. My grandfather had a printshop, in the twenties and thirties, so it's no wonder that I love old books, lithographs, printsets...anything to do with type. A font can set the stage and tell the story before you have even opened the book. I found this little book not long ago for children, and the graphics are just precious.

It is what it says. "All Pictures"

I also wanted to share a few of my little gift books

from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

These were given as small tokens of affection

at Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, New Years etc.

They have the sweetest graphics and poetry, usually with a spiritual theme.

Hope you enjoyed my "white" today.

Check in with Kathleen at Faded Charm for other participants in

White Wednesday.

Go find an old book, it will take you to another place.

Debra

What I Rescued this Weekend, Monday

It's not that I don't like garage sales, it's just that I don't have much luck with them. I can be gone all morning and come home with a few pitiful finds. So I've just never been that "into" them. Jan can go and then come home with a truckload of quilts, ironstone and fabulous stuff, Me? not so much. But, this last weekend I did good. My sister had one, and of course I got to shop early. Yeah. She had some great stuff.

This cute little chair is embossed, but is pretty lightweight. It won't stand up to the "teenage boy" test. AND if you need a potty, I have a real winner. It's Alfred Meakin stamped with England and is in excellent condition. I'm thinking a cute little ivy peaking out would just be so quaint.

This was my car when I got home. FULL.

My sister makes great flower arrangements and this was a summer bundle

she did a few years ago. It hangs on the door with or without a basket.

The little wooden tray with a 40's fruit decal and the green picnic basket are evidence of my love of "cottage" goods. I love all the whites and creams and shabby, but I just can't resist a pop of that cottage vibe.

I rescued the little baker's rack from my own garage.

It looked too "new", so I gave it a "rust" finish, now it works.

I love wire "anything", so I can just see this filled with gourds, pumpkins and bittersweet for fall. BTW, Fall is my favorite time of year, so don't be surprised when September 1 rolls around and all my fall goodies come out. Can't help it, the cooler weather always invigorates me, and I seem to come alive.

This little dresser was in my nephew's room until last week, when he traded his bunk beds in for "grown up" furniture.

It's a little rough on top, but I haven't decided yet what to do with it. White, black or just be lazy and let someone else do the work.
(drawer pull is in one of the drawers)

This little French fashion print is just so sweet. The frame has a little damage,

but a once over with some gold "Rub n' buff" and it works.

Here are some old linens that are not perfect, but oh-so- sweet.
Tea towels, pillowcases and table runners.



detail on the tea towels



There were several "cocktail" aprons from the 50's, that were so hilarious...all tulle, net, and organdy. No help with dirty hands or spills...
just for the chic hostess factor!

This little vintage Battenburg lace number is one I kept for myself,

or I should say for "Irma".

She's wearing it now, as she holds the vintage jewelry that I make.

This is some of my stash.

Be sure and check out more "What I rescued this Weekend, Monday" at Sassafras Stuff.

Thanks,Polly

Well, I'm off to the garage to work on pricing.

Where's my Big Gulp cup, and please turn on the fan!

Have a great Monday,

Debra

P.S. If this post turns out weird, it's because sometimes I think that Blogger has a mind of it's own and it will do whatever it darn well wants. No matter how many times you go back and try to fix it. Double spaces and deletes photos. So I'm warning you, it was one of those days. Sheesh.